As days pass
the number of deaths and those affected by tropical storm Jeanne continues
to increase dramatically. According to the latest report from the
Haitian Civil Defense the number of deaths has risen to 1,013 while
it is estimated that 1,200 people are still missing. It is feared
that the number of deaths will increase as there are still two areas
of the town which are totally inundated and inaccessible.
Due to the delays
in transportation of relief items from Port-au-Prince to Gonaïves
- the most affected town - the situation in Gonaïves is very
tense. There have been angry scenes at some relief centres as large
crowds gather, desperate to get hold of food and water. The United
Nations reports that food and water have been distributed over the
week-end under the protection of the Argentinean peacekeepers present
in the city.
The health situation
is under control and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has
dismissed reports that dead bodies pose a serious health treat. They
have warned that this type of misleading information often results
in authorities taking misguided action such as mass burials, which
can add to the burden of suffering already experienced by survivors.
ACT member in
Haiti, the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) reports that they
will distribute food and other relief items through 20 churches -
members of their partner the Protestant Federation of Haiti (FPH).
They have sent a FPH volunteer to Gonaïves to assess the capacity
of the churches and to co-ordinate the distribution. LWF will also
provide medical assistance through Hospital Pere Payen, Hospital Beraca
and one health centre in Gonaïve, members of the FPH. Psycho-social
support will be provided through animators of the churches that have
been previously trained by ADRA. The Norwegian Church Aid (NCA)
has sent two water purification units and a water and sanitation engineer
to assist the communities in the installation of the units and provide
training. Church World Service (CWS) will send a container
of medical equipment.
ACT member in
Haiti, Diakonie Emergency Aid (DEA) is still assessing the
situation in co-ordination with their partner in Gonaïves, World
Neighbours. Church of Sweden (CSA), Finchurchaid (FCA),
ACT Netherlands/ICCO and Norwegian Church Aid have already
announced their commitment to supporting the forthcoming ACT appeal.
The German Embassy in Haiti has also pledged support to the activities
of ACT members. The ACT CO has sent a Rapid Response Fund of U$50,000
to support initial activities.
